Local News in Brief : Fountain Valley : Gypsy Fortuneteller Files Suit Against City

Citing the reliance on astrology at the White House, a county fortune teller has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the City Council violated her constitutional rights by denying her the opportunity to do business.

The suit was filed in Santa Ana by Madonna Stevens, a Gypsy who says she reads the future in Tarot cards and the human palm. Her lawyer, Barry A. Fischer, said he filed the lawsuit after city officials threw up regulatory roadblocks to Stevens’ business.

Since 1985, according to Fischer, the state Supreme Court has outlawed discrimination against Gypsies seeking to do business. The suit alleges that Fountain Valley has discriminated on the basis of religion and race and has violated Stevens’ free-speech rights.

Fischer alleged that Stevens is a member of the Gypsy religion of Rom, which assigns women unique spiritual powers and precise religious responsibilities.

The City Council, over community objections, reluctantly agreed to allow Stevens to operate on land zoned C-2, on the periphery of the city, according to the suit. She seeks instead to open a business across from City Hall at 10221 Slater Ave., an area zoned C-1 commercial.

Fischer referred to recent disclosures that First Lady Nancy Reagan regularly consults a San Francisco astrologer in his brief, which seeks a temporary restraining order: “In a time when astrology plays a role in decisions in the White House, there is, nevertheless, considerable hostility to fortunetelling in Fountain Valley.”

City officials could not be reached for comment. U.S. District Judge J. Spencer Letts scheduled a hearing for July 6.